The Bible in 2020

Today’s reading: Genesis 23-24; Matthew 8

Selected verses

After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah east of Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. The field and the cave that is in it were made over to Abraham as property for a burying place by the Hittites. Genesis 23:19-20

And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”  Matthew 8:27

Reflections

Life unfolds mostly in ordinary, everyday ways. Mostly. But then there are days that one senses a turning point has been reached.

In today’s reading in Genesis, Abraham takes care of business. Not unimportant business, but business just the same. He arranges for Sarah’s burial and Isaac’s marriage. God has promised him the whole land, but he pays the exorbitant asking price for a cemetery. He is generous, because his God is generous. God guides Abraham’s servant to a wife for Isaac making the choice obvious. Blessed is the man who is given a wife by the Lord. Isaac was blessed, but none of these events is totally unexpected. This is normal life, sort of.

In Matthew, however, Jesus’ ministry schedule is filled with the dramatic: healing, teaching, and calming a storm to the amazement of the disciples. The One who rocked crowds with His authoritative teaching (Matthew 7:28-29) now shakes the kingdom of darkness by casting out demons and demonstrating His authority over the weather. This is not every day life in the first century, or any century. History is being made here and the world is being challenged to trust Jesus Christ.

Think about it

God works in the mundane and in the dramatic. Be not complacent in the former, nor fearful in the latter. Today may seem normal to you but God is not slumbering. This could be a day when all hell breaks loose, but again God is not distracted from your trials and reality.

Either way, trust Him and be faithful.

© 2017 John A Carroll Used by permission

Write a Comment

Comments for this post have been disabled.